Sandusky County, Ohio, Examinations for Disability Exemptions, 1862
Introduction
During the late summer of 1862, Sandusky County, Ohio physician James W. Wilson was appointed examining surgeon of Sandusky County’s enrolled militia. Between August 15th and September 22nd, Wilson examined over 1100 Sandusky County residents for exemption from military duty. Excluded from examination were aliens, mail carriers, ministers, males over the age of forty-five and under the age of eighteen, and those already recruited by volunteer regiments. All others were examined by Wilson for physical disabilities that prevented active military duty. Early in the process, Wilson reported to the governor that he anticipated forty per cent would receive exemptions due to physical disabilities. All told, Wilson granted disability certificates to just over fifty per cent of those examined. The state of Ohio paid Dr. Wilson $84.00 for his services. During October, Wilson examined an additional forty-eight men who agreed to serve as substitutes for drafted Sandusky Countians.
Arranged alphabetically by surname, the table below gives the name of the individual appearing before the examining surgeon, township residence, disability claim, exemption status, and any remarks made by the surgeon. Please consider all spelling variations when reading names and disability claims. The original document, a part of the James W. Wilson Papers (Local History Collection #186), may be viewed at the Hayes Presidential Center.
Civil War Disability Listing